Fence-post



.G. A. CHRIST.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' FENGB POST.

(N0 Mode l.)

' Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

GUSTAV A. cnnrsr, OF'GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,383, dated December 17, 1889. Application filed April 2, 1889- Serial No. 305,724. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV A. CHRIST, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple construction of supporting-post for use in connection with wire fences, or combined wire and wood fence; and I aim to combine in one post means for the connection at the upper part of a board or top rail and a secure fastening for the lower part of the post adapted to be embedded firmly in the ground.

Prior to my invention many devices for anchoring fence-posts in the earth have been devised, and I do not claim, broadly, this way of supporting posts, my invention consisting in this respect in the detail construction and arrangement whereby I am enabled to secure at slight expense an effective anchor for the post and'adapted to be readily applied.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a section of fence with my improved post, showing the anchor as it appears in place, and the top and facier boards connected to theupper part of the post. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are details, the latter figure showing a inodification. Fig. 5 is a front view of a section of the fence, showing the manner of bracing the posts. Figs. 6 and 7 show two different ways of securing the wires to the post. Fig. 8 illustrates a cap to be used in connection with the post to enable the same to be conveniently driven.

In the drawings, A represents the post. It may be made of flat metal and notched at intervals to receive the strands of the fencewire, which may be secured in any convenient way. In case a flat metal bar is used, as shown, I prefer to give the upper part a halftwist, so as to provide a flat bearing for the facier-board B, which is secured to the post,-

preferably, by wrought-iron nails passing through the post and board and clinched on the side of the board, though other fastening means may be substituted. The upper end of the post is bent over at right angles to its body portion, as shown at n, thus forming a bearing for the top rail or board 0, which preferably overlaps the edge of the board B,

and is secured both to it and the angular part a of the post.

The post A is riveted or otherwise secured between the limbs Z9 Z) of the anchor or foot of the post, which are composed of spring metal curving outward from each other, their extreme lower ends extending at a tangent to the curve of the mainportion between the lines 1 and 2. The ends of the anchors may extend out, as shown, on the right of Fig. 1, or the metal may be given a quarter-turn, as on the left of. Fig.1, and may be provided with a holding web or plate 0, suitably secured to the end of the anchor-arm b.

When it is desired to insert the post in-to the ground, the anchor-arms are drawn together and their points embedded in the ground, and, as pressure is applied to the post, the arms are forced deeper into the ground, separating as they descend in accordance with the'spring nature of the arms and the curves upon which they are formed. In order to give additional strength against lateral strain, I provide webs d, composed of sheet metal or other suitable material, secured to each arm of the anchor, and being provided with a horizontal portion in the form of a plate d, bent at right angles to the part d, and provided with flanges 2 upon each side, which are adapted to be embedded in the ground, thus supporting the post very firmly against all lateral strain. As above stated, one of these supports is placed upon each side of the post in connection with one of the arms of the anchor.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a View of the preferred form of ground-plate, this consisting simply of a horizontal plate 6, having end flanges f, which are embedded in the ground,

the plate 6 having two parallel openings in- For bracing the posts the rods y are. bolted thereto and extend obliquely toward the ground. Their lower ends are perforated and are arranged between the limbs of the spring anchor-arms y, which are similar in all respects to those above described, the main body of the post being omitted. The upper ends of the limbs are nailed together through an interposed plate 2 and a bolt 2 passes through the limbs and through the brace-rod. The series of openings in said rod permits adjustment to get the proper strain and to secure a firm bearing of the anchor in the ground. Ground-plates, as before-described, are used in connection with the limbs. For bracing the posts intermediate of the corners, braces 3 3 are used, extending from post to post, and also braces 4 4, extending from the posts to the facier-boards. The wire braces 3 3 may be secured to rings about the posts, or be merely wrapped about said posts. For holding the fen ce-wir'e to the posts 8 the staples 5, arranged as in Fig. 7, are preferably used. These have their ends bent at right angles to the main port-ion. In applying them they are passed over the fence-wire, so that the said wire rests in the bight of the staple. The two ends arethen passed through an elongated hole in the post just large enough to receive them, and then they are twisted about each other, was to retain the staple in place. In the other manner of holding the wire a notch is formed in the edge of the post to receive the'wire. A staple 6, having hooked ends, is then put in place about the post, the hooked ends thereof engaging with the fence-wire, and a clip or wedge is inserted between the post and staple, so as'to draw the staple ends firmly against the wire.

By constructing the post of the central or body portion with the two limbs secured thereto an advantage arises in putting the posts into the ground, as a convenient point is thus provided close to the ground at which the driving force may be applied, obviating the necessity of using flat forms in order to drive from'the top of the post. The upper ends of the limbs on each side furnish these ledgepoints for the application of driving force, and to facilitate this work I have devised the cap 10, (shown in Fig. 8 slotted, as at 20,) to be placed about the post and rest upon the ends of the limbs, being held by a key 11. The force is preferably applied to the projecting end 12 of the cap.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In combination, the fence-post of flat metal, having its upper part first twisted a quarter-turn and then bent to receive a face board and a top board, substantially as described.

2. A fence-post having an anchor secured thereto, consisting of the spring-arms and the horizontal flanged plate d, permanently secured to the post, in connection with the said arms for preventing lateral movement, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the fence-post, an anchor having spring-arms diverging from each other, vertical webs 1,-connect'ed to said arms, and angular horizontal portions d,-provided with side flanges 2, substantially as described.

4. A'fence-post composed of fiat metal,having its upper end given a half-twist,and provided with a right-angular bent top, facier and top boards secured thereto, curved spring anchor-arms secured to the lower end of the post, webs d, secured to said arms,'and horizontal flanged plates (Z, secured to said webs, substantially as described.

5. In combination,the fence-post, the brace 11, the limbs y on each side thereof, the said brace-rod having a series of holes, and a bolt passing through the limbs and brace-rod, whereby said rod may be adjusted,'substantially as described.

o. In combination, the fence-post having arms connected thereto, a slotted cap 10, embracing the post and resting upon the upper end of the anchor-arms, having a ledge 12, and a holding-wedge 11, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, GUSTAV A. CHRIST.

\Vitnesses:

E. F. STAGE, G. JOHNSON. 

